National Monument · Washington
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
The volcano that blew its top in 1980
TypeNational Monument
StateWashington
Best seasonSummer & early fall
Don’t missThe crater from Johnston Ridge
The still-recovering blast zone of the 1980 eruption that erased 1,300 feet of mountain in minutes — a gaping crater, a steaming lava dome, and a landscape relearning how to live. Johnston Ridge stares straight into the crater.
What to see
- Johnston Ridge Observatory
- The crater & lava dome
- Ape Cave lava tube
- Spirit Lake
- Harmony Trail
On public wild lands, services are sparse and conditions change fast — check the managing agency (Forest Service / BLM / Park Service) for road and seasonal closures, fire restrictions, and any permits before you go, and pack out what you pack in.
Build a trip around wild places like this.
Roamward turns spots like this into a real road trip on your phone — the scenic drive, the stops, and the detours, planned around the vibe you’re after. Get early access: